from Dr Hellyer's, now four days
since--a long while it seemed to us, although only so short an interval,
from the experiences we had since gained, and our entirely new mode of
life. The place was small and dark, with bunks ranged along either
side, and a stove in the centre, at which one of the hands, selected as
cook, was just giving a final stir to a steaming compound of meat,
potatoes, and biscuit, all stewed up together, and dubbed by sailors
"lobscouse."

Most of the crew I already knew, from my visits to the brig during
vacation time; but, Tom being a comparative stranger--albeit all of them
had witnessed the "striking proof" of the honour the skipper considered
our coming on board had done him--Jorrocks thought best to introduce us
in a set speech, saying how we were "a good sort, and no mistake"; and
that, although we were the sons of gentlemen, who had "runned away from
school," we were going to shake in our lot with them "like one of
theirselves."

This seemed to go down as well as the stew, of which we were cordially
invited to partake, that disappeared rapidly down our famished throats;
and, thenceforth, we were treated with that good fellowship which seems
natural to those who follow the sea--none attempting to bully us, or
take advantage of our youth, and all eager to complete our nautical
education to the best of their ability. Perhaps this was principally on
account of Jorrocks constituting himself our friend and patron, and
keeping a keen eye on our interests in the food department, so as to see
that we had a fair share of what was going; but, at any rate, thus it
was, for, with the exception of the skipper, we had no reason to
complain of the treatment of any one on board the brig, from the time we
joined her in the surreptitious manner I have described, to the moment
of our leaving her.

Towards evening, the wind shifting more to the westwards and bearing on
our quarter, the yards had to be braced round a bit and the jib sheet
hauled in taut to leeward, giving Tom and me an opportunity of showing
our willingness to bear a hand. Otherwise, however, until we arrived at
Newcastle there was little to do in the way of trimming sails, as the
wind was fair all the way, giving no occasion for reefing or furling
canvas until we got into port. I don't believe, either, we were out of
sight of land once during the progress of the voyage; for, the skipper,
like the commanders of most coasting craft, hugge